4600 Series

Vibrating Wire Settlement Systems

Applications Model 4600 Settlement System
Settlement Systems are Operating Principle
Lockable Rainproof
designed to measure the Enclosure The Model 4600 is designed for use where there is bed-
settlement of… Embankment rock or stable ground, accessible by drilling a borehole,
Wooden
Post
Settlement which can be used as a stable benchmark immediately
 Dams Plate
beneath the point of settlement. A vibrating wire pres-
 Fills and embankments 1m sure sensor, anchored on a pipe grouted into solid ground
Sand or bedrock at the bottom of the borehole, is connected by
 Foundations
Settlement a liquid-filled tube to a reservoir attached to a settlement
Reservoir
 Roadways plate located at the ground surface. As the fill is placed,
the reservoir settles and the liquid pressure on the sensor
 Storage tanks
diminishes. An electrical cable runs from the sensor to a
 Surcharges Signal Cable remote readout location.
Liquid Line
Typical applications for the Model 4600 are: the measure-
ment of seafloor settlement beneath the construction of a
sand-island, and the measurement of settlement beneath
a surcharge in a swampy area.

Advantages and Limitations

Drill Hole
35 m A closed loop vent line between transducer and reservoir
Max.
prevents temperature and barometric pressure fluctua-
tions from affecting the readings. The use of long horizon-
tal liquid-filled tubes, which could be susceptible to air
bubble formation, is not required. However, the proximity
of stable ground beneath the settlement point and the
Bentonite drilling of a borehole are required. Systems are supplied
Grout
fully sealed and assembled, ready for installation.

Technical Specifications
Standard Ranges ¹ 7, 17, 35 m

Resolution 0.025% F.S.

Sensor Accuracy ² ±0.1% F.S.

Temperature Range¹ −20 °C to +80 °C

Length × Diameter (reservoir)  305 × 60 mm

(sensor)  191 × 35 mm

Vibrating Wire ¹ Other ranges available on request.

Pressure Sensor ² Laboratory accuracy. Total system accuracy is subject to site-specific variables.

Optional
1" Pipe

Bedrock or
Stable Ground

 Model 4600 Vibrating Wire Cement

Grout
Settlement System.
 Typical Model 4600 installation.
 Model 4660 Settlement System
Applications of liquid between the sensor and
The Model 4660 is designed for remote reservoir locations.
measurement of the settlement of
Advantages and
a point in or below fills, surcharges,
Limitations
embankments, etc. Systems with tube
A vented cable runs from the sensor
lengths of up to 300 m have been
to the remote readout location and
used successfully to measure settle-
connects to the reservoir so that
ments in earth dam embankments.
barometric pressure fluctuations do
Operating Principle not affect the readings.
A vibrating wire pressure sensor is
The liquid-filled tubes can be
attached to a settlement plate located
flushed to remove any air bubbles
at the point of settlement. The sensor
that might form.
is connected via two liquid-filled
tubes, extending laterally, to a res- It is possible to perform in-situ
ervoir located on stable ground. The checks at any time on both the cali-
sensor measures the hydraulic head bration and zero stability.

Technical Specifications
Standard Ranges ¹ 7, 17 m

Resolution 0.025% F.S.

Sensor Accuracy ² ±0.1% F.S.

Temperature Range¹ −20 °C to +80 °C

Length × Diameter (reservoir)  152 × 51 mm, (sensor)  168 × 25 mm

Length × Width ×Height (plate)  305 × 305 × 6 mm, (cover)  305 × 127 × 45 mm

¹Other ranges available on request.

² Laboratory accuracy. Total system accuracy is subject to site-specific variables.
 Model 4660 Settlement System (protective cover cutaway shows vibrating wire sensor).

Lockable Rainproof Enclosure

Moisture Trap
Liquid Reservoir

Embankment Readout Terminal

Vented Signal Cable

Liquid-Filled Tubes

Wooden Post
Tamped Backfill
Metal Conduit
Protective Cover

Vibrating Wire Pressure Sensor

1m

Settlement Plate Liquid-Filled Tubes Vented Signal Cable Sand-Filled Trench

 Model 4660 installation for the remote measurement of subsurface settlement beneath a large embankment.
 Model 4651 Settlement Profiler
Applications
The Model 4651 Settlement Profiler is
a portable device designed to measure
profiles of heave and settlement
beneath fills, embankments, roadways,
storage tanks, structures, etc. It can
be used to measure differential settle-
ments at discrete points on structures
such as building columns, etc., and
also to monitor surface settlement
above tunneling activities.
Operating Principle
A sensitive Vibrating Wire Pressure
Sensor is located inside a torpedo that
can be pulled through a buried pipe,
or carried from point to point. The
Sensor is connected, via a liquid-filled
tube, to a reservoir located on stable
ground. The tubing is stored on a reel,
which is mounted horizontally at the
reservoir location, and is free to turn
as the torpedo is pulled into the hole,
or, is positioned at different locations.
The sensor measures the hydraulic
head between the reservoir and the
sensor locations.
Advantages and
Limitations
Independent measurements of settle-
ment can be made at closely spaced
intervals providing a detailed profile
of differential settlements over a
wide area.
The Sensor is vented so that baro-
metric pressure fluctuations have no
effect on the readings.

Technical Specifications
Standard Range ¹ 7m

Resolution 0.025% F.S.

Sensor Accuracy ² ±0.1% F.S.

Temperature Range¹ −20 °C to +80 °C (using antifreeze solutions)

Reel Capacity (4651-1)  up to 130 m; (4651-2)  up to 330 m

Length × Diameter (probe)  203 × 35 mm, (reel)  178 × 610 mm

 Model 4651 Settlement Profiler. ¹Other ranges available on request.
² Laboratory accuracy. Total system accuracy is subject to site-specific variables.

Reservoir
Embankment

Manhole Lid Readout

Pull Cord Settlement Torpedo Liquid-Filled Tube and Cable Pipe Sand-Filled Trench Reel Mounted on Pedestal

 Model 4651 installation used to measure and monitor embankment settlement. As an alternative installation, the empty manhole (shown above at left) and open-ended pipe may be replaced by a
capped pipe with a pulley and return cable to pull and position the torpedo from the reel end of the pipe (shown above at right).
 Model 4675 High Sensitivity Settlement System
 Model 4675 High Sensitivity
Settlement System.
Applications
The Model 4675 is designed to detect and measure
very small changes of elevation at discrete locations.
It has been used to measure differential settlements
along tunnels, deflections of bridges and bridge piers,
the settlement of building columns and floor slabs, etc.
(i.e. situations in which high sensitivity is essential).
The vessels must be installed at the same elevation and
Operating Principle
A series of vessels are interconnected by a liquid-filled
tube. One reference vessel is located on stable ground
and the other vessels are located at the points of
settlement. Each vessel contains a cylindrical weight
suspended from a vibrating wire transducer. The com-
mon liquid level inside each vessel partially submerges
the hanging weights; settlement of a vessel causes an
apparent rise of the water level in that vessel leading to
a greater buoyancy force on the weight and a reduction
Advantages and Limitations
Very high resolution, of the order of 0.07 mm, can be
attained. A vent line connected to each of the vessels
prevents the readings from being affected by ambient air
currents and barometric fluctuations. The readings are
not significantly affected by temperature changes.
the connecting liquid-filled tubing must remain below the
vessels at all points.
Technical Specifications
Standard Ranges ¹ 100, 150, 300, 600 mm
Resolution 0.025% F.S.
Sensor Accuracy ² ±0.1% F.S.
Temperature Range¹ −20 °C to +80 °C (using antifreeze solutions)
Dimensions depends on range
¹Other ranges available on request.
² Laboratory accuracy. Total system accuracy is subject to site-specific variables.

in the tension and frequency of the vibrating wire.

Transducer
Housing Transducer
Vent Line

Common Liquid Vessel

Liquid Level Level Vent Line Sight
Vessel Tube

Liquid Line Signal Mounting

Cable Bracket Crack in Wall
Shutoff
Valve

 Installation of the Model 4675 on a concrete wall with exaggerated settlement to illustrate change in elevation.

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